Divineguma sees massive development
Boost for vegetable, fruit production:
A massive development in the vegetable, fruit, coconut and inter
crops cultivation sectors, as well as livestock, fisheries and cottage
industrial sectors are envisaged under the Divineguma, project first
round being implemented throughout the country, said Economic
Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
Minister
Basil Rajapaksa |
One million domestic economic units will be launched under this
programme launched countrywide to uplift the nutrition and income levels
of the family in particular, he said. Minister Rajapaksa said vegetable
and fruit production will be increased almost by 25 percent under this
programme.
This has increased produce and will help increase the consumption
level of the families.
Currently the percapita annual consumption of vegetables is 49
kilogrammes which roughly worked out to 134 grammes daily. Under the
Divineguma, it is expected to raise the daily consumption level to 175
grammes. The total value of the annual vegetable production which will
accrue to the country is estimated at Rs 15 billion, he said.
The minister said vegetable seeds and fertilizer have already been
supplied to a major part of domestic economic units. The total number of
vegetable seed and fertilizer kits distributed throughout the country by
June 10 amounted to 987,416. It is also expected to distribute two
million coconut seedlings this year. While plans are afoot to distribute
200,000 chicks, 5,000 (cattle) calves, and 5,000 (goat) calves.
It is also expected to establish 20,000 plots with protective netting
to set up nurseries.
The minister said a large number of projects costing Rs 130 million
will be implemented through 14 sectors to develop the fisheries industry
this year.
The Divineguma project had been a colossal success because it is the
first national development project involving a majority of people in the
country, he added.
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